The Spanish marksman bagged 22 league and cup goals last season after Laudrup spent just £2m on the former Rayo Vallecano forward.

By the end of Swansea’s Capital One Cup-winning campaign, the Dane was talking in terms of the Spaniard being worth £30m.

But that will not put off Arsenal, who have been linked with him after their £40m bid for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was turned down.

Now that Suarez has chosen to stay at Anfield, Wenger needs to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts on September 1. But Laudrup reckons the Gunners have left it too late and said: “If you are not for sale, you are not for sale – and that’s at any price.

“I know it’s all like a game of poker but from my point of view, I don’t want Michu to leave for any amount in the world.

Manager Laudrup is convinced Michu wants to stay put at Swansea

“I think Swansea is in a good financial position and I don’t think if they came in with a big bid very late the reaction would be any different.

“Even if the money is ridiculous, the response from the chairman would be ‘No’ because we would not have time enough to find a replacement. The other problem is that if you sell your best player so late and you can’t find a ­replacement, all you have is the money. So what?

“Even if the money is ridiculous, the response from the chairman would be ‘No’ because we would not have time enough to find a replacement”

Michael Laudrup

“Why be the richest club in the league. What is that worth?”

Laudrup added: “Anyway, I have not discussed this matter with anyone because I am convinced that Michu wants to stay with us.

“I spoke to him last year when there was talk and he asked me if I was going to stay on as manager. I told him ‘Yes’.